Rev. Franklin Graham: Obama has ‘shaken his fist at’ God

President Obama’s sudden change of heart on the issue of same-sex marriages isn’t sitting well with Rev. Franklin Graham.

“In changing his position from that of Senator/candidate Obama, President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage,” Graham said Thursday. “It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more.”

“But I have to tell you that over the course of several years — as I talk to friends and family and neighbors — when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed, monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together,” Obama told ABC’s Robin Roberts on Wednesday.

“When I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf, and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, because they’re not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

According to Graham, who noted that North Carolina is the 31st state to pass a traditional marriage amendment, Obama’s message flies in the face of 8,000 years of tradition.

“The institution of marriage should not be defined by presidents or polls, governors or the media,” said Graham. “The definition was set long ago and changing legislation or policy will never change God’s definition. This is a sad day for America. May God help us.”

Obama defeated Sen. John McCain in North Carolina by just 0.3 percent during the 2008 election. The constitutional amendment in support of the traditional definition of marriage passed by a wide margin, with 61 percent voting in favor the amendment and only 39 percent voting against it.